Charting the course of women in global shipping
WE must take time to pause and relish that the Philippines ranks 16th of 146 counties in gender parity. Filipino women like me are born into this world believing they can be anyone if they work hard enough. In the Philippines, we see women assuming high ranks in politics, the judiciary, the corporate world, business, profession and the military. We just take it for granted that it can be done. In Philippine maritime, many women take C-suite positions, especially at shore.
In the global shipping industry, gender parity has yet to be fully achieved. While there have been notable advancements in the past decade, with more maritime leaders attaining C-suite positions, women remain a minority both onshore and at sea.
The shipping sector continues to be largely dominated by men. As a Filipina maritime executive beginning my international exposure, I initially did not fully grasp the extent of this disparity. However, through some less-than-positive experiences, I came to realize that while my position may be commonplace in the Philippines, it is not the norm globally, even in economically advanced countries.
It takes some adjustment to realize that, for once, the Philippines is leading the way, as we are accustomed to looking up to others, for example. In my experience, I owe much to Dr. Gaby Bornheim, who served as my mentor and guide. Dr. Bornheim is the managing director of Peter Döhle Schiffarts and the president of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR). She is the first female president in VDR’s 114 history. Dr. Bornheim’s friendship, coupled with her legal expertise (as she is also a lawyer like myself) and her firm guidance, prevented me from faltering and stumbling along the way. Her mentorship extended beyond mere advice; through her guidance, I not only gained practical skills but insights from her own experience.
Working at sea in global maritime is particularly challenging as women have to navigate the complexities of diverse organizational and ethnic cultures while working and living in the same space as men. A mere 1.28 percent of women are sailing actively worldwide.
While various institutional and structural measures can be implemented to encourage greater female representation in the shipping industry, in my experience, mentoring plays a pivotal role. Through mentorship, individuals receive guidance and support and gain valuable insights and practical skills necessary for professional growth and success. Indeed, my journey has deepened my appreciation for the transformative impact of mentorship in empowering women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields like shipping.